Plymouth to Interview Candidates for New Fire Chief

City Administrator says several applicants have been identified for the vacant position.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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The Plymouth Police and Fire Commission will begin interviews next week to fill the vacant fire chief position. Former Fire Chief Ryan Pafford left the department in December to become the city administrator in Kiel. The fire chief is the only paid position in the Plymouth Fire Department.

Why it matters

The fire chief is a critical leadership role responsible for overseeing the city's fire and emergency response services. Filling this vacancy is important to ensure continuity and effective management of the fire department.

The details

According to Plymouth City Administrator Tim Blakeslee, the Police and Fire Commission has identified several candidates to interview for the fire chief position. The previous fire chief, Ryan Pafford, left the department in early December to take a city administrator job in Kiel.

  • The interviews for the fire chief position will start next week.
  • Former Fire Chief Ryan Pafford left the Plymouth Fire Department in early December 2025.

The players

Tim Blakeslee

The Plymouth City Administrator.

Ryan Pafford

The former fire chief of the Plymouth Fire Department, who left in December 2025 to become the city administrator in Kiel.

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What’s next

The Police and Fire Commission will conduct interviews with the identified candidates and select a new fire chief in the coming weeks.

The takeaway

Filling the critical fire chief role is an important priority for the city of Plymouth to ensure continued effective leadership and management of the fire department.